Sawing Machine Lifting Device Prevents Workpiece Snagging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sawing machines often struggle with thin, wavy, or uneven workpieces getting caught in the cutting gap, leading to process disruptions and potential damage, and existing solutions are either complex, expensive, or unsuitable for automated systems.

Innovation Solution

A lifting device integrated into the sawing machine that can be raised through or over the cutting gap to lift the workpiece out of or over the jamming position, using a cam or ramp mechanism to prevent snagging and ensure reliable cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cutting gap is designed with chamfers or radii to prevent workpiece snagging, then the reliability of the sawing process is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the cut edge deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidcut edge quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device is activated before the workpiece reaches the cutting gap to preemptively lift thin or wavy workpieces, preventing them from becoming trapped in the cutting gap before the cut occurs, thus maintaining both reliability and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the support surface is pivoted downwards after the cutting gap to prevent workpiece hooking, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidsupport surface mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting function is extracted from the support surface structure and implemented as a separate, independently controllable lifting device with cam mechanism, eliminating the need for complex pivoting support surfaces while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If rollers are arranged in the machine table to lift and turn the panel, then the ease of operation is improved, but they cannot prevent curved or wavy workpiece from getting caught in the cutting gap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece handlingVSAvoidcutting gap passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device activates before the workpiece reaches the cutting gap to preemptively lift thin or wavy workpieces, preventing them from becoming trapped in the cutting gap before the cut occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the support surface and the workpiece, providing controlled lifting action that bridges the gap between the support surface and the cutting gap, preventing workpiece snagging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2548682B1Method for sawing a workpiece

Publication Date: 2013.10.16 SCHELLING ANLAGENBAU GMBH

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AI summary

The method involves placing a workpiece (1) to a machine table surface (3) of a sawing machine (2) along a cutting gap in the machine table surface, and dicing a movable sawing device (5) of the sawing machine. The wokpiece is lifted by a lifting device (6) of the sawing machine through the cutting gap, where the workpiece is raised above the cutting gap. The workpiece is positioned on the machine table surface by a feed device that feeds the workpiece in a direction orthogonal to the cutting gap. An independent claim is also included for a sawing machine for sawing a workpiece such as a plate or a stack of plates.